ST STM32F3 Series User Manual

PM0214 Rev 10 17/262
PM0214 The Cortex-M4 processor
261
2 The Cortex-M4 processor
2.1 Programmers model
This section describes the Cortex-M4 programmer’s model. In addition to the individual core
register descriptions, it contains information about the processor modes and privilege levels
for software execution and stacks.
2.1.1 Processor mode and privilege levels for software execution
The processor modes are:
The privilege levels for software execution are:
2.1.2 Stacks
The processor uses a full descending stack. This means the stack pointer indicates the last
stacked item on the stack memory. When the processor pushes a new item onto the stack, it
decrements the stack pointer and then writes the item to the new memory location. The
processor implements two stacks, the main stack and the process stack, with independent
copies of the stack pointer, see Stack pointer on page 19.
In Thread mode, the CONTROL register controls whether the processor uses the main
stack or the process stack, see CONTROL register on page 25. In Handler mode, the
processor always uses the main stack. The options for processor operations are:
Thread mode: Used to execute application software.
The processor enters Thread mode when it comes out of reset.
The CONTROL register controls whether software execution is
privileged or unprivileged, see CONTROL register on page 25.
Handler mode: Used to handle exceptions.
The processor returns to Thread mode when it has finished exception
processing.
Software execution is always privileged.
Unprivileged: Unprivileged software executes at the unprivileged level and:
• Has limited access to the MSR and MRS instructions, and cannot
use the CPS instruction.
• Cannot access the system timer, NVIC, or system control block.
• Might have restricted access to memory or peripherals.
• Must use the SVC instruction to make a supervisor call to transfer
control to privileged software.
Privileged: Privileged software executes at the privileged level and can use all the
instructions and has access to all resources.
Can write to the CONTROL register to change the privilege level for
software execution.

ST STM32F3 Series Specifications

General

Series	STM32F3
Core	ARM Cortex-M4
Max CPU Frequency	72 MHz
Operating Voltage	2.0 V to 3.6 V
GPIO Pins	Up to 80
Timers	Advanced-control, general-purpose, basic timers
ADC	12-bit
DAC	12-bit
Communication Interfaces	USART, SPI, I2C, CAN, USB
Operating Temperature	-40°C to 85°C
Package	LQFP, UFQFPN, WLCSP

Summary

Introduction

1 About this document

1.1 Typographical conventions

Conventions used in the document for formatting text and code elements.

1.2 List of abbreviations for registers

Abbreviations used in register descriptions.

1.3 About the STM32 Cortex-M4 processor and core peripherals

Overview of the processor's features and integrated peripherals.

2 The Cortex-M4 processor

2.1 Programmers model

Describes the programmer's model, processor modes, privilege levels, and stacks.

2.2 Memory model

Details the processor memory map, access behavior, and bit-banding features.

2.3 Exception model

Explains the exception model, states, types, handlers, and priorities.

2.4 Fault handling

Details fault types, escalation, status registers, and lockup.

2.5 Power management

Describes mechanisms for entering and waking up from sleep modes.

3 The STM32 Cortex-M4 instruction set

3.1 Instruction set summary

Overview of the instruction set and supported instructions.

3.2 CMSIS intrinsic functions

CMSIS intrinsic functions for generating Cortex-M4 instructions.

3.3 About the instruction descriptions

Explains how instruction descriptions are presented in the document.

3.4 Memory access instructions

Details instructions for accessing memory.

3.5 General data processing instructions

Covers general-purpose data processing instructions.

3.6 Multiply and divide instructions

Describes instructions for multiplication and division operations.

3.7 Saturating instructions

Explains instructions that perform saturating arithmetic.

3.8 Packing and unpacking instructions

Instructions for packing and unpacking data.

3.9 Bitfield instructions

Instructions for operating on bitfields within registers.

3.10 Floating-point instructions

Instructions for floating-point operations using the FPU.

3.11 Miscellaneous instructions

Other Cortex-M4 instructions not categorized elsewhere.

4 Core peripherals

4.1 About the STM32 Cortex-M4 core peripherals

Overview of core peripherals and their memory map in the PPB.

4.2 Memory protection unit (MPU)

Details the MPU's functionality for memory protection and region management.

4.3 Nested vectored interrupt controller (NVIC)

Describes the NVIC's support for interrupts, priorities, and tail-chaining.

4.4 System control block (SCB)

Provides system implementation info and control for exceptions.

4.5 SysTick timer (STK)

Details the SysTick timer, its registers, and usage hints.

4.6 Floating point unit (FPU)

Explains the FPU's functionality, registers, and enabling.

5 Revision history